The game saw the City youngsters respond in perfect fashion to the disappointment of last Wednesday’s UEFA Youth League Round of 32 exit away to HJK Helsinki on penalties.
A Matty Warhurst brace allied to Christian McFarlane’s first half opener was enough to both clinch victory and fire the Under-21s up to sixth place in the Premier League 2 table.
For many of the players it rounded off a demanding week that had taken in travel to and from the Nordic country as well as a draining European contest played in temperatures of minus 11 Celsius.
And though it wasn’t the young Blues’ most fluid display of the season against a dangerous Leeds, the Lead Coach was more than pleased with City’s perseverance and staying power.
“It wasn’t our best performance and some of the guys were a bit leggy after all the travel and playing in Finland in midweek,” Wilkinson reflected.
“But we were quite clinical and had some good moments in front of goal – we scored the goals at the right times and that allowed us to see out the game comfortably.
“It wasn’t a stereotypical performance from us but there were some good things to take away.
“Now it’s about building and looking to get better between now and the end of the season.”
Play the video to watch Ben’s interview in full…
